A new study from the University of Georgia, published in Child Psychiatry & Human Development, suggests that parenting style plays a significant role in shaping teen social anxiety. Researchers surveyed more than 1,000 adolescents and their parents, focusing on how warmth, support, and control within families affect a teen’s comfort in social situations.
The findings? Teens who reported higher levels of warmth and support from their parents were less likely to experience symptoms of social anxiety. In contrast, when parents—especially mothers—leaned heavily on controlling tactics such as criticism, guilt, or overprotection, teens showed more signs of struggling in social situations.
Interestingly, the study noted a difference between mothers and fathers. Maternal control was more strongly linked to higher levels of social anxiety, while paternal warmth had a protective effect. The researchers suggest that this difference could stem from how teens perceive each parent’s role in their lives.
Social anxiety affects an estimated 9 percent of adolescents in the U.S., making it one of the most common mental health concerns for this age group. It can interfere with friendships, school participation, and self-confidence during a pivotal developmental stage.
While the study doesn’t claim that parenting alone causes social anxiety, it highlights how family dynamics can either buffer or exacerbate a teen’s vulnerability. By identifying these patterns, researchers hope future interventions can better support families and help teens build resilience in social settings.
Bottom line: parenting style matters, and this research suggests that a little warmth can go a long way toward easing the pressures teens feel when navigating their social world.
